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Administration Makes Syria Policy Off the Cuff – Again!
White House Dossier ^ | 9/6/2013 | Keith Koffler

Posted on 09/09/2013 8:46:39 PM PDT by Hoodat

OMG these people really are bad. I mean, what a three-ring circus. Are they just so full of themselves that they think they can say whatever they want and don’t have to discipline their speech to hew to an actual policy?

Obama, you remember, drew a red line off the top of his head committing us to military action against Syria. And now Secretary of State John Kerry has offered Syria a splendid opportunity to delay, confuse the issue, and confound the United States.

Asked at a news conference today in Britain if there was anything Syrian President Assad could do to avoid an attack, Kerry mused, “Sure, he could turn over every single bit of his chemical weapons to the international community in the next week — turn it over, all of it, without delay and allow the full and total accounting.”

Kerry’s own spokeswoman described this as a rhetorical exercise rather than a proposal, according to the New York Times.

But the Russians, who practice diplomacy like an art form and love to confuse issues, could barely contain their delight. They decided, with rational thought that somehow eludes U.S. leaders, that what the Secretary of State says is in fact U.S. policy. And so Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who was meeting in Moscow with Syria’s foreign minister, Walid al-Moallem, offered Russia’s kind assistance in corralling Syria’s chemical weapons. Moallem said Syria “welcomes” Russia’s proposal.

So now, completely by accident, a very serious alternative to bombing Syria has emerged. The opportunity here for mischief and delay is unlimited – Oh, we’re rounding up the weapons, but this takes time, and of course UN inspectors must confirm, and – wait – aren’t there a few more? . . .

(Excerpt) Read more at whitehousedossier.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: accordingtoplan; bailout; kerry; obamasplan; russia; syria; wmd
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To: Hoodat

I could picture international inspectors over there verifying this while getting their asses blown off. LOL


21 posted on 09/09/2013 9:23:48 PM PDT by headstamp 2 (What would Scooby do?)
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To: Hoodat

The government is used to being able to lie without consequence or detection by the masses. Now that social media has flattened the practice of news reporting, destroying the government-media information monopoly, they have no protocols for dealing with getting caught lying, and what we are witnessing here is the result.

In any previous age, the people would have submissively gone along with the program, they’d believe whatever the TV told them, and they’d have no access to information that went counter to the official narrative.

It begs one to wonder which events in the past have also been false, through and through - besides the many that we already know about.


22 posted on 09/09/2013 9:27:59 PM PDT by thoughtomator 2.0
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To: Hoodat
This looks like a win-win for all the players all away around except for Saudi Arabia and its proxies fighting against Iran's proxies in Syria.

Under the terms of such a deal Assad would relinquish chemical weapons which are of marginal utility militarily and of distinct liability in terms of triggering an international reaction which causes Western powers to bring down the Assad regime. In return for this, Asad buys months and months of time to negotiate the terms of the deal and to submit to the complicated on the ground inspection necessary to verify the deal. If the German intelligence intercepts to the effect that the poison gas was used by rogue elements of the Assad forces are accurate, it is clear that Asad might not actually be able to account for or deliver all such weapons. In any event the process of verification will be difficult and protracted which time the Russians will exploit.

Meanwhile, Russia will gain diplomatic prestige and, more importantly, cover to expand its naval and military presence in the Levant. It will undoubtedly vastly increase its weapons supplied to Asad which he will use to prosecute his civil war. It is probable that the Russians will become more involved in aiding Assad beyond merely supplying weapons, although they will undoubtedly now supply more sophisticated weapons, and they will probably supply technicians etc.

To the degree that the United States had as its policy the destruction of the Assad regime, that policy has been markedly sent back. Obama will be happy, however, because he has been extricated from a self-inflicted humiliation and will crow about removing weapons of mass destruction from Syria and making the world safer etc. If the United States intends to supply weapons to the rebels that will be made far more dangerous by the increased presence of the Russians. Expect the Russians to flex naval muscles in the Mediterranean basin which makes the world a far more dangerous place, not safer as Obama will claim.

The Russia-Iran-Syria axis will have been strengthened and the Saudis will feel even more isolated and threatened because the precedent has been established that Russia will protect its client states against American threats of bombing and can now do so to protect Iran. Expect that to come in good time. Therefore, although Obama himself will be pleased with this deal, the national interests of the United States have been tragically sent back.

Iran is now to be protected by the Russian nuclear umbrella in its quest for the atomic bomb and there is virtually no chance now of denying Iran the bomb.This represents one of the greatest strategic disasters for the United States since the fall of the Soviet Union.

Recently Israel has been attempting a diplomatic opening with Russia and that might come in handy now that Russia's military will be expanding quite literally on Israel's doorstep.

The long-term consequences of Russia's intrusions into the Middle East cauldron severely reduce both American leverage and Israeli security, while increasing prospects for continuing terrorism and nuclear proliferation.

The irony of all of this is that Obama will come out smelling like a rose.


23 posted on 09/09/2013 9:30:20 PM PDT by nathanbedford ("Attack, repeat, attack!" Bull Halsey)
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To: Tupelo

"... and then, Kerry said that they would only carry out, - an 'unbelievably small' attack in Syria!"

24 posted on 09/09/2013 9:30:58 PM PDT by Cyropaedia ("Virtue cannot separate itself from reality without becoming a principal of evil...".)
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To: headstamp 2

Frederica Wilson, (D-FL), represents Florida 24th CD. Not only a clown, but a moron, proving her ability to multi-task.


25 posted on 09/09/2013 9:33:15 PM PDT by DPMD
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To: Cyropaedia

The extent of Kerry’s “unbelievably small attack” is to place a paper sack full of dog poop on Assad’s front porch, set it on fire, and ring the doorbell.


26 posted on 09/09/2013 9:37:51 PM PDT by Hoodat (BENGHAZI - 4 KILLED, 2 MIA)
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To: Hoodat

Maybe they can pull Hans Blix out of retirement to do the inspections?


27 posted on 09/09/2013 9:51:53 PM PDT by Little Pig (Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici.)
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To: Little Pig
I thought he was shark poop.

<

28 posted on 09/09/2013 9:52:55 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: Hoodat
If Assad never had Chemical weapons , and it was just a False flag carried out by the "rebels"

then it would be pretty hard for Assad to "turn them over, all of them" .....and will require Kerry and Obama to attack anyway for not "turning them over"

29 posted on 09/09/2013 9:53:17 PM PDT by KTM rider
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To: Hoodat
Somehow, I think Assad would take more umbrage in us actually doing something such as that, - than trying to bomb one of his facilities in an unbelievably small attack.
30 posted on 09/09/2013 9:55:45 PM PDT by Cyropaedia ("Virtue cannot separate itself from reality without becoming a principal of evil...".)
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To: Hoodat

31 posted on 09/09/2013 9:58:31 PM PDT by garjog (Obama: making the world safe for Sharia.)
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To: Hoodat

32 posted on 09/09/2013 10:05:23 PM PDT by garjog (Obama: making the world safe for Sharia.)
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To: nathanbedford

“The irony of all of this is that Obama will come out smelling like a rose.”

At best he’ll avoid being totally embarrassed, but he’ll be seen as a total loser worldwide - his red lines will mean nothing from now on. Putin will be the winner, as well as Assad.


33 posted on 09/09/2013 10:19:00 PM PDT by aquila48
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To: KTM rider
If Assad never had Chemical weapons

Not a realistic problem Syria has been a chem weapon producer for decades. Easy way to get rid of old stocks and probably get paid to do it.

34 posted on 09/09/2013 10:19:47 PM PDT by xone
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To: All

Kerry is such a DOLT!!! He is in (nearly) the same class as Biden, and these people control the fate of a Nation.... I guess you elect idiots you get an unlimited amount of idiots appointed to offices. Come to think of it, this is DOLT #2 in charge of DoS under this regime.


35 posted on 09/09/2013 10:23:13 PM PDT by thegrump
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To: nathanbedford
The Russia-Iran-Syria axis will have been strengthened and the Saudis will feel even more isolated and threatened because the precedent has been established that Russia will protect its client states against American threats of bombing and can now do so to protect Iran. Expect that to come in good time. Therefore, although Obama himself will be pleased with this deal, the national interests of the United States have been tragically sent back.

Iran is now to be protected by the Russian nuclear umbrella in its quest for the atomic bomb and there is virtually no chance now of denying Iran the bomb.This represents one of the greatest strategic disasters for the United States since the fall of the Soviet Union.

Now, that is an excellent, clearly worded analysis. I was trying to explain it to a (somewhat) disaffected Obama supporter, but your description is much more concise. Do you mind if I quote it to a few people?

That said, does Russia really trust an Iran with nukes?

36 posted on 09/09/2013 10:26:59 PM PDT by Paul R. (We are in a break in an Ice Age. A brief break at that...)
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To: Hoodat

It’s a dumb move if getting rid of the nerve-gas danger is the objective. Weaseling out of the “red line” boast is more important, so this fig leaf will do.


37 posted on 09/09/2013 10:27:20 PM PDT by Cyber Liberty (Uncle Miltie: Obama poisoned race relations for a generation. Everything is racial now.)
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To: Hoodat

We’re All Bozos on this Bus


38 posted on 09/09/2013 11:45:55 PM PDT by Rocky (Obama is pure evil.)
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To: Paul R.
Given Putin's rhetoric concerning terrorism generally and his brutal intercession in Chechnya against whom he regards as terrorists there, one would expect him to be opposed to terrorists across the board together with their sponsoring states and one would further expect him to be opposed to the states acquiring atomic weapons.

In judging these things, we should expect the nation to act in accordance with its perceived national interests. The question is how does Putin perceive those interests? How Putin perceives the world, of course, is not congruent with how a Western man sees the world. He is a KGB agent at heart, he is a thug, an autocrat, and a man who has expressed the bizarre thought that the worst thing that has happened in the century was the demise of the Soviet Union and presumably its Empire. His record shows that he has sought to restore that Empire where possible and by means not known to be fastidious. He quite obviously harbors animus against the USA. There is the imponderable tendency among autocrats to live out their fantasies unchecked because of the level of their arrogance. It might be that Putin in his arrogance thinks he can co-opt and control a nuclear Iran. It might be that he just likes the game.

There have been historic ambitions by the Russians in Persia and some interest in its resources.

Ultimately, nations and leaders should be judged not on their rhetoric but on their behavior and history shows that Russia, both before and with Putin, have always attempted to exert their influence in Iran. History tells us that it will continue.

Thank you for the kind words concerning my reply which, of course, you can use but I would be grateful for a hat tip.


39 posted on 09/09/2013 11:47:39 PM PDT by nathanbedford ("Attack, repeat, attack!" Bull Halsey)
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To: Errant
"It’s okay, obviously God had a hand in it, and caused the pompous moron to utter that statement. Millions of prayers were answered and WWIII postponed for a little longer. Make the most of it..."..........

BTTT.

40 posted on 09/10/2013 12:11:22 AM PDT by hummingbird (Don't be afraid of the big words.)
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